Ownership

Brian Colopy

Owner

Ohio University

brian@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7385

Brian serves as the owner and operator of the Kalamazoo Growlers.

Brian began as an intern for the Northwoods League before becoming an owner of multiple franchises in 2021.

He is known for his viral ideas including Coach Drake, Pre-Game Home Run Derbies, Donut & Beer Festival, Salute to Selfie Night, the Twinkie Dog and more.

Brian played baseball collegiately at Ohio University before pursuing a professional career with the Chillicothe Paints of the Frontier League.

Prior to moving to Kalamazoo & Battle Creek, Brian spent two seasons working for the Ripkin Group with the Augusta Green Jackets and the Aberdeen Ironbirds.

Brian led the group that brought baseball back to Kalamazoo in 2013 and have won the Northwoods League Organization of the Year in 2016, 2020, 2022 and 2024.

He was named the Northwoods League Executive of the Year in 2020 and 2022.

Brian lives in the greater-Kalamazoo area with his wife Liz and two children.

Ticket Sales & Experience

Aaron Guerrero

Vice President of Ticket Sales & Experience

Ferris State University

aaron@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7697

Aaron entered the Northwoods League in 2012 and worked for the Kalamazoo Growlers in 2015 & 2016 seasons.

In 2017, he moved to Bismarck, North Dakota to start the new Bismarck Larks where he worked for eight seasons.

He was inducted into the Bismarck Larks Hall of Fame in 2024 for his service and dedication to the team.

Aaron moved back to his home state of Michigan to work for the Growlers in 2024 and lead the Ticket Sales & Experience department.

Courtney Sharland

Business Relations Director

Grand Valley State University

courtney@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7386

Courtney joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Stadium Operations intern in 2023.

In 2024, she joined the full-time front office staff to work with local businesses and corporations bring employees, families and clients to experience the Growlers FUN.

She previously played basketball at Grand Valley State University and made it to the Div. ll Elite Eight in 2022.

Claire Burton

Business Relations Director

Western Michigan University

claire@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7409

Claire joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Tickets intern in 2022.

In 2024, she joined the full-time front office staff to work with local businesses and corporations bring employees, families and clients to experience the Growlers FUN.

She previously worked with the Western Michigan University Women’s Basketball Team and the Chicago Bears Seasonal Associates Program in their Community Relations department.

Brandon Camp

Group Sales Manager

Texas Tech University

brandon@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7965

Brandon joined the Kalamazoo Growlers in 2024.

He previously worked for the Bismarck Larks as the Group Sales Manager before moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He played for the Texas Tech University Club Hockey team.

Mathew McDonald

Fan Experience Director

Grand Valley State University

mathew@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-9966

Mathew joined the Kalamazoo Growlers as a Stadium Operations Intern in the summer of 2024.

After the internship, he joined the full-time front office to work in Inside Sales.

He previously worked at Grand Valley State in Game & Event Operations.

Operations

Tom Olds

General Manager

Western Michigan University

tom@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7411

Tom has been with the team since 2016 and has served a number of roles including Business Relations Director and Stadium Operations Director.

He was promoted to General Manager in 2023 and oversees the day-to-day team & facility operations and Kalamazoo Concessions.

Tom has a passion for overdelivering on expectations and ensuring that every fan in the stadium has a VIP experience.

Turner Lawrence

Food & Beverage Director

Western Michigan University

turner@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-9474

Turner joined the Growlers in 2023 as a Stadium Operations Intern.

He joined the team’s full-time front office in 2024.

Turner is responsible for concessions at Growlers games, Western Michigan University Athletics and Outlier Events.

He was a member of three-straight West Virginia State Champion hockey teams and was a All-State Right Winger in his junior and senior seasons.

Jason Fox

Hospitality Director

jason@growlersbaseball.com

269-350-4116

Jason joined the Growlers gameday staff in 2016 as a Home Plate Club Supervisor.

In 2024, he joined the full-time front office and supervises all buffet areas and gameday staff. He also coordinates community and mascot appearances.

Jason also has a passion for coaching kids that participate in Destination Imagination.

He was one of the original on-air personalities at WRKR in 1988.

Partnerships

Kevin Timmer

Vice President of Partnerships

Ferris State University

kevin@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7412

Kevin has been with the team since the team’s inception in 2014.

He was promoted to Vice President of Partnerships in 2023 and oversees all sponsorships and community partnerships.

Kevin has had a role in growing the Growlers sell-out numbers each season and furthering business relationships in the greater-Kalamazoo area.

Denny Smith

Vice President of Business Operations

Ohio University

denny@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7336

Denny joined the Growlers team in 2021 as the Fan Experience Director.

He then served as the General Manager of the Battle Creek Battle Jacks for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

In 2024, Denny returned to the Growlers in a role to corporate relationships for both teams.

Jaylynn Struth

Partnership Activation Director

Western Michigan University

jaylynn@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7969

Jaylynn joined the Growlers team in 2023 as a Merchandise Intern.

She joined the full-time front office in 2024 to work with the team partners and sponsors.

Entertainment & Marketing

Alex “The Firebreather” Kuehl

Entertainment Director

Davenport University

alex@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-7410

Alex “The Firebreather” joined the team in 2024 and is the on-field host and leads the entertainment for the Growlers and Outlier Events.

He previously worked for the Battle Creek Battle Jacks and the West Michigan Whitecaps.

Alex learned his firebreathing act from the techniques of a French-Canadian carny.

Evan Brown

Digital Content Director

Compass College of Film & Media

evan@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-9477

Evan joined the Growlers in 2022 as a Content Producer. In Fall 2022, he joined the Battle Creek Battle Jacks  as the Media Director.

In 2024, Evan returned to the Growlers in a role to elevate media and videos for both teams.

He adopted his dog, Tesla, at a Growlers’ “Bark at the Park” theme night game in 2022.

Isaac Bugarin

Marketing Director

Metropolitan State University of Denver

isaac@growlersbaseball.com

269-492-9475

Isaac joined the Growlers in 2024 as the team’s Marketing Director.

He previously worked for the Bismarck Larks from 2020-2024 where he led marketing efforts for tickets, sponsorships and merchandise.

Isaac played an integral role in the launch of the viral rebrand of the Missouri River Motorboaters in 2023.

Jaden Taylor

Team Broadcaster

Arizona State University

jaden@growlersbaseball.com

402-980-1520

Jaden joined the team in 2023 as the team’s broadcaster and returned in 2024.

He manages and oversees all press box operations and baseball-specific content for the Growlers.

He was named the 2024 NWL TV Announcer of the Year.

Outlier Events

Kendall Soto

Business Development Director, Outlier Events

Western Michigan University

kendall@outliereventsgroup.com

269-492-7413

Kendall oversees the strategic planning and success of all major festivals and events by developing partnerships and securing new business opportunities.

She previously worked for the Kalamazoo Growlers and Western Michigan University Athletics.

Bailley Kluisza

Events Director, Outlier Events

Central Michigan University

bailley@outliereventsgroup.com

269-492-6327

Bailley joined Outlier Events in 2024.

She coordinates venues, vendors and other important aspects of events.

She previously worked for Central Michigan University Recreation and the Traverse City Pit Spitters in 2023.

Supporting Staff